Stakeholders keen for start of $25m coast trail

COMMUNITY groups, tourism bodies and state ministers have celebrated a major milestone in the Victorian government’s Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail, which is planned to deliver major tourism boosts along the entirety of the Surf Coast.

Government representatives were in Fairhaven on Tuesday this week to launch a masterplan, which the government released last month, for the multi-million-dollar path that will provide a continuous walking link from Torquay to the Twelve Apostles.

The proposal reveals concepts for the trail’s route through high terrain and linking with existing infrastructure, plus location and design of new infrastructure such as suspension bridges and camping grounds for hikers.

Once built, the 90km trail will provide options for a full seven-day, six-night hike from Fairhaven to Skenes Creek, down to day walks, half-day walks and shorter loop trails.

It would also connect the 44km Surf Coast Hiking Trail from Torquay to Fairhaven with the 110km Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, creating around 250km of walking trails for Victoria’s south-west coastline.

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism general manager Liz Price said she was pleased to see the major investment step closer to construction.

“Critical to building a more sustainable return from the visitor economy is developing experiences that immerse visitors in nature and encourage them to stay overnight,” she said.

 

Aireys Inlet and District Association president Charlotte Allen also backed the plan: “Generally, the trail is going to be a very good addition to what’s on offer on the Great Ocean Road,” she said.

“It has the potential to provide people with opportunities to take longer on their trip; so rather than driving, actually spend a few days enjoying more of what the road has to offer, rather than the one-day dash to the Twelve Apostles and back.”

In total, the state government expects the trail to attract 70,000 extra visitors a year and encourage 200,000 more to stay longer during its first five years, and pay back its investment through $38 million in visitor expenditure.

The government has upped its financial commitment to $25.5-million for the planning of the track between Fairhaven and Skenes Creek, and construction to Grey River.

It is still seeking further funding to build a final section from Grey River to Skenes Creek.

The government remains in discussions with key stakeholders including the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, Parks Victoria and Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation for final endorsement of its masterplan, that it hopes to secure by the end of next month.

A detailed design process would continue into early next year as the route and infrastructure undergo final assessments and statutory approval.

The government expects construction to start during 2023 and last for up to three years.